10-Day / 9-Night Gentle

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Padstow.

After wandering through the delightful narrow streets of Padstow in the morning, you soon find yourself overlooking the spectacular sandy beaches that populate the mouth of the River Camel. Indeed, turning a corner to discover another of these hidden strands is a fabulous way to start your walking holiday. From Mother Ivey’s Bay, a short transfer brings you to your accommodation in Padstow.

After a short transfer to Mother Ivey’s Bay, make your way around Trevose Head. A truly splendid walk, along relatively gentle coastal terrain and long sandy beaches, make this section of the trail an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Keep an eye out for the Bronze Age ‘barrows’ (ancient burial sites), a large sinkhole close to Dinas Head and the famous Bedruthan Steps.

There are wonderful coves and golden beaches around every corner as you head further south along the Cornish coastline. Pop in for lunch at one of the many lovely restaurants in Watergate before you continue into the more urban environs of Newquay – the bustling surfing capital of the UK and the perfect place to enjoy some nightlife including many vibrant pubs, bars, restaurants and shops.

After negotiating the River Gannel (keep an eye on tide times), the trail subsequently follows grassy clifftop paths. At Kelsey Head, discover some earthworks of an Iron Age cliff fort before passing through sand dunes shortly afterwards (good for those calf muscles!). Overnight in Holywell or short transfer to Newquay.

Today’s walk takes you along long sandy beaches – particularly Perran Beach just past the Penhale Army Training Area. From Perranporth, you pass into an area with a rich mining history as evidenced by the old chimneys that dot the landscape. Wild gorse and heather scrub replace farm holdings as you make your  way to St Agnes.

Begin your walk by passing around St Agnes Head and onwards to Porthtowan Village. After a few short, but rather steep, climbs out of Porthtowan you continue along grassy clifftop paths and tracks before descending down to the beach village of Portreath.

After you climb out of Portreath, the trail settles down and continues at a more gentle gradient. Make your way through an area called the “Knavocks” where wild ponies may be grazing. After a beautiful walk around Godrevy Head you reach the settlement of Gwithian. From Gwithian, a transfer brings you to your accommodation in St Ives.

After a transfer to Gwithian, your walk begins with a walk through the dunes or, tides permitting, a walk on a stretch of wonderful sandy beach as far as Hayle. A prolonged section of road-walking from Hayle takes you inland around the Hayle River Estuary. From Lelant, a stunning coastal path leads you all the way into St Ives.

There are regular bus & train services from St Ives to London and other destinations in the UK.